Kay L. Velker

VELKER, KAY L. Our beloved Kay ran into the arms of her Savior, whom she loved and served on March 1, 2014. His words to her were "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21). After dealing with Parkinson's Disease and cancer she was suddenly taken "home". Born February 1, 1942 to the late Henry and Anne (Saltz) Velker in Ann Arbor, it was there that she also completed all of her education. This included a B.S. and Masters from the University of Michigan. Kay developed the first Resource Room in Cincinnati, OH, where she lived for 10 years, being very involved in Sweet Adeline's, including a championship quartet! Drawn to Traverse City with family there, she taught at Central High's Resource Room. Her real heart was missions and worship, so she left teaching to spend 16 months in Israel with Project Kibbutz. Returning, Kay felt led to serve at Living God Christian School as a music teacher and then Project Coordinator at the Church of the Living God for many years. She coordinated and went on numerous short-term mission trips all over the world. For years she loved leading worship at the church and being a part of their worship team. In her 60's, she served two 8 week stints on Mercy Ships in Africa. In her 70's, she loved working as a Learning Partner at Traverse Heights School and was quite involved with the local 9/12 group, enjoying a drama group where she was the "flamboyant" Dolley Madison. She loved the color purple; so in her memory, we encourage friends and family to wear some purple to her celebration service. Surviving family members are her brothers, Glen (Alice) Velker of Miami, FL and Lou (Beth) Velker of Ann Arbor; her sister, Marie (Bill) Geer of Traverse City; and her niece, Kellie (Matthew) Geer Carlson of Weymouth, MA and their daughter Leah. Also included are special cousins, nephews, nieces and their children. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 - 8 pm Thursday, March 6 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Graveside services will take place at 4:00 PM on Friday, March 7 at Bethlehem Cemetery, 2801 Jackson Road in Ann Arbor. A service celebrating Kay's life will take place at 1:30 PM on Sunday, March 9 at the Church Of The Living God, 1514 Birmley Rd., Traverse City with Pastor Ted Smith officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Mercy Ships, P. O. Box 1930, Garden Valley, TX 75771. Please share your memories of Kay with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.